Mr. Utley: The Educator/Ski Lift Operator

Finally began my substitute teacher duties. Only about 10 months after I starting talking about it! Teaching the little ones. Started last week, so far have "taught" pre-K, Kindegarten and 3rd grade. It's actually kind of fun. The children seem to like me. They must be able to see deep down into my kindhearted soul.

It has all gone smoothly for the most part, with the exception of a small fight breaking out in my 3rd grade class and the one little wiseguy who felt it necessary to kick a pair of somebody's soiled, abandoned skivvies into the classroom from the bathroom. He was attempting to be a funny guy. So, how did I handle this situation you may wonder? I had this little pr*ck pick up said soiled skivvies and carry them down three floors to the lost and found. Nobody gets one by ol' Utley!

And I've also accepted a position at a local ski area. I will be working nights as a lift attendant. Or "liftie" to those in the industry. Standing outside on cold winter nights and helping the skiers safely onto the chairlift.

So here's where I stand for now: For the foreseeable future, I will be working most days teaching and most night at the ski area. Goal is to at least earn some respectable income, which in turn gives me more time to search for the "golden opportunity;" meaning the full time sales/marketing opportunity I've been looking for. Until then, I am getting in touch with my blue collar roots...

The month of October was actually pretty busy with interviews, although no bites. Some of the interviews I went on merely for the interviewing experience, and a couple of the interviews I was actually really interested in the position. Haven't heard an official "no" from the front-running company, but it has been a while now, so I'm really not banking on it. Thought the interview went so well!

So, loyal followers, I am still here, still plugging away. Perhaps this holiday season will bring some good luck for me, in the form of the dream gig. But we wait patiently. And in the meantime, you can find me wiping runny noses and making sure the little ones are sitting "criss coss applesauce" in their appropriate spots on the reading rug...

Making Strides

Utley is back b*tches! And the good news is I have been interviewing. Finally!

Over the past few weeks, I have interviewed at three different companies. And they shall remain nameless, in hopes of not "jinxing" any of the opportunities.

And oddly enough, the three opportunities are all very different. Similar in the fact that 2 are sales positions, and the other is a marketing position. One sales interview I got through LinkedIn, and the other through networking. The marketing position was obtained via responding to a posting on the company's website. Also, the marketing position requires obviously creativity and a marketing background, but also the ability to successfully interact with the sales staff. If anyone can work with other sales dbags, I certainly can!

I felt very prepared for all of the interviews. And I do attribute that to working with my Career Management Consultant, the CMC. I felt I have been prepated for all the questions asked, but also the proper questions to ask each respective company. So been happy with the CMC thus far. F'n should be, right, it was so f'n expensive! The only thing that disappoints me about the CMC is that they really do not help me find prospective companies. They are great with preparing me for interviews, and hopefully will continue to be as the interview process moves along. But I have to find the companies on my own, which I did expect to do, however, when I intitially met with the CMC, the woman spewed a bunch of happy horsesh*t about employers contacting them and having a tight network of recruiters etc; That must have been some serious BS, because nothing proactive has come from them. They will send me a Hoovers report on a company I'm interested in, but thats it. But, despite the minor b*tching, I am glad I have someone to brief and debrief with before and after each interview.

In other news, speaking with various people I know, all in their late 20's, it seems many people are "less than thrilled" with the current state of employment at this stage in the game. I even know some others who have done the same thing I have...taken an upaid sabbatical. More power to them! Let's all hope we all get what we're looking for.

If you have been reading this blog, you must have noticed the ups and downs I have been going through. Because I have had ups and downs, smiles and frowns... But it's really nice to get support from people. Got an email a couple weeks ago from an old college friend, first expressing her support for me, saying I did the right thing, but also expressing some worries, as I obviously haven't been writing as much. I've explained it as writer's block/not wanting to jinx anything/not wanting to write when I was experiencing little progress. Or write about the good times I was having, when it'd probably be better if I just shut the f up. But hearing from this person (who may or may not have been the former love of my life) really made me feel better and realize that I'm not alone, that it took some serious cojones to do what I did, and to have faith that it was the right move and it'll all work out it the end...

So, I thank you all who have reached out with their support and stay tuned, we just may be on to something...

Hey

I'm alive.

I really am. Obviously haven't been writing. Lost the urge a bit. Felt like I had nothing to say. Kept reporting doom and gloom. Which was putting me in not the best of moods. But I haven't forgotten about all of you. Or the blog. Just haven't been ready.

I turned 29 a couple weeks ago. Last year of my twenties. Wow. Let's hope this will be the year! The year for what you may ask? The year for everything, that's what. But mainly, the year to truly find myself...in many ways.

I'm not going to go into detail, but I've actually had a couple interviews lately. One of the companies I'd love to work for, the other not so much. I'm just so happy to finally get an interview. And I must say, I felt very comfortable and prepared in one of the interviews. The one I want. The other one...felt fine, but it was different.

I've also been working a bit. A little bit. But it's kind of cool, at least I think...I've been working putting up signs for my city's top candidate for mayor. Pays cash, gets me out of the house, and who knows, it may lead to a valuable connection with our future mayor.

Have an interview next week for substitute teaching. My thinking, is, of course, I need money, but to use this activity to gain positive momentum and land the big one.

So, I know its been a while, but just needed to back off for a minute, stop talking and start doing.

Time will tell if that's the "write" idea...

Its September...

I have been approached by numerous people who were a bit "concerned" shall we say, regarding the last post I put up. Which was about two weeks ago. Not gonna lie, past couple weeks were a little tough. However, after a tremendous outpouring of support, I ended up not resigning from the fantasy football league. As I said, the move was probably an overreaction.

And last week unfortunately, my grandmother passed. This was tough for me, as I had been spending a fair amount of time with her, going to dinner with her over the past 6 months, as well as visiting her weekly while she had been in the nursing home and hospital over the past 2 months. She was my last blood grandparent. So last week, my focus really was not on "finding a job."

Although I may have found a "lead" at the memorial service. I don't know if I mentioned it, but my uncle, who lives in St. Croix, owns an independent supermarket, and his father owned up to 6 grocery stores at one point. (You may recall a follower of the blog suggesting I get into the grocery business...) Well, my uncle introduced me to the VP of Sales at a company called Associated Grocers, a large wholesale grocery coop. This company I know for a fact is growing "muy rapido." We spoke for a bit, he asked for a resume, I sent it, and he suggested we get together in a couple weeks. So, who knows, maybe something will come out of this whole thing...

Also, I actually just had my first positive conversation with a recruiter. He was very nice, is in charge of the company's newly formed sales/marketing staffing division; we spoke for a while, he seemed "not unimpressed" with what I had to say and let me know about a position he currently had an opening for. An inside sales/technology role, which I'm probably not interested in at the time, but I liked the way the conversation went. So lets hope for some positive karma here...

No bites on anything Liberty Mutual yet either...

Almost Famous

What, are you like the star of your school?
They hate me.
You'll meet them all again on their long journey to the middle.

I was reading an article earlier this morning by The Sports Guy, ESPN's Bill Simmons. He wrote a column comparing this current NBA Offseason to one of our generation's greatest films, "Almost Famous." He utilized quotes from the coming of age film to illustrate his points regarding certain NBA players.

Stemming from an incident that occurred last night/this morning, the above quote struck me. If you recall, the quote in the movie takes place during a conversation between the film's protagonist, awkward teen William Miller, played to a tee by Patrick Fugit, and the character played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, a writer, who is giving young William advice. I think it is such an epic quote, one that rings so true for all of us, thinking back to our awkward high school years.

Anyway, a friend of mine, posted some sh*tty things about me in our Fantasy Football message board. Which, by the way, I am the commissioner of the league. This "friend" was reacting to an earlier post from me, and he went over the top, attacking my current state of "joblessness" and my "sense of entitlement", because I write a blog, talking, talking, talking, about work/job, not actually doing it.

Well, in probably an over reactionary move, I resigned my post as Commish and also resigned from the league. F that.

I will admit, I am facing an uphill battle at this stage in the game, one which I created for myself. But, in the face adversity, one must buckle down, suck it up, and overcome. Adapt and overcome, that is. I learned that theory and college and try to live by it.

My goal is to learn from this low point in my life. Learn from it. Grow from it. And perservere from it. Have it make me a better man. A better man who will use this sh*t as fuel on my way to the top.

And on that way to the top, "I'll see you again, on your long journey to the middle."

Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Proactively called a meeting with the CMC (Career Management Consultant) on Monday. As an attempt to keep myself motivated, check in, get some fresh ideas, etc; We went back over the fundamentals of the job search campaign. Which was good. I always leave that place feeling confident. He tells me I will get a job, companies would kill to have someone like me, that the fruits of my labor will pay off soon enough. When people get back to reality in September and sh*t. I hope that is true! Really just like to get in front of a live person. With a personality.

As you loyal followers may have remembered, I have/had decided I wanted to solely pursue the Insurance field, mainly Group Benefits Wholesaling...got a friend who does well, etc; This is not totally out, however I recently have been more focused not on that gig, but getting into a very reputable local company, Libery Mutual. I know 5-6 people who work there, one of whom is a very good friend. Who after, let's say seven years of working there, has 5 weeks of vacation, and has just been granted to go on a sabbatical. A real sabbatical, not like mine...

None of this has anything to do with the type of work I'll be doing. Does it even matter? I want to make good money, get benefits, have a great opportunity for upward mobility. I want to be a big shot. It's weird. I have networked, spoken, socialized, drank with many on these so-called "big shots." And I fit in, can hold my own, whether it comes do conversation, wit, look, whatever. Hence, I'd like to put myself in an opportunity, where if I work hard, do good work, get along with people, I can move up. Financially and in status. Because I can handle it. I have told people no matter what position you put me in, I'll do it and do it well. Yeah.

So I want to get into Liberty Mutual. I've applied for 1 job, which now that I think of it, I posted the rejection letter. Maybe I should go back and read these posts sometime. Anyway, the other position I have not heard back from, but my app was submitted through a friend. Not sabbatical friend. Other guy, whom I was told to submit through by another guy I know, who's a VP. Apparently, this VP cannot submit apps at his level. But, there's got to be some level of influence...

I saw another job opening that looked super cool, but again, its an "MBA Preferred" position. I know I can do the job, but I don't want to just submit to every position I see..., if I applied to that position, it'd make 3 I submitted for. I don't want to look like some type of a**hole here, you know?

My next move is to investigate a little deeper into the personnel, try to find SOMEONE who will meet with me, to let them see me in person, to see I'm a big stud. Also contact VP friend and see if he has any other bright ideas...or recommendations or referrals...Got to find some way in the door! I know, I know, patience....

On a positive, un-job related note, last week I fired an 86, a career low, on the golf course, while at the same type beating my good friend, who is way better than me and always beats me. Fired a 90 this week. Like I said, Un Job related...

Today, while doing these activities, writing letters, net surfing, researching, etc; my goal is to not wear a shirt the entire day. I think I can do it, as long as I don't decided to go to the store. Wish me luck. A real hero.

I'm Back

Back to the blog on this fine Monday in August. Yes, I'm aware no posts last week. If anyone is still reading and following along on this journey called On Sabbatical.

Last Monday, while leaving the gym, I got notice that I would not be invited in for an interview at Lewtan, the company I applied to for a sales position, and where I also knew several people working there. Apparently not enough of a finance background. Although deep down I knew I didn't really want the position, I would have at least liked to be asked in for an interview. But things happen for reasons, so I'm hoping, big picture, this was a good thing.

Despite perhaps not being 100% super psyched about the Lewtan position, the news last Monday kind of bummed me out. Put me in a bit of a funk. You see, I applied for 2 positions recently where I knew a lot of people employed at said company. I was hoping that the whole "its not what you know, but who you know thing" would come to play. But is hasn't yet. But I know I need to be patient during this process.

However, one of my contacts at Liberty Mutual was able to cheer me up a bit. He explained that he did not get into Liberty until the 2nd or 3rd job he applied for, despite having a very good contact high up within the company. And, as we know, I was denied for the first position I applied for. I applied for position #2 earlier today. I'm thinking I'd really like to get into Liberty Mutual. Big company, which means plenty of money to pay, lots of room for upward mobility, great benefits, and lots of positions available (not necessarily available know, but in the future) whether they are sales or marketing roles.

As with getting an interview, I know I can make a positive impact within a company once I get in front of an actual live person. This has always been the case. Just need to get the interview first.

I have been writing some good cover letters, and I believe my resume is legit. So I wait and keep my eye on prospective opportunities.

However, when I applied to Lewtan, my friend noticed a couple mistakes in my resume. Of course I should have noticed these; my friend then wondered if the CMC I hired came up with this. He did put the resume together. For all the money I paid this company, I was a little bummed that there were typos. I had proofread it, but just hadn't seen the errors. And I had been sending out this resume to numerous companies and execs...maybe they didn't notice. Even though the resume content is ultimately up to me, I was upset that the errors were there in the first place. So...confidence in calling anyone I sent the bad resumes to was, shall we say, lacking.

So last Thursday took off for a brief family vacation up to Vermont. Should have been a carefree, relaxing time, but family issues kind of stressed me out a bit. So I did escape for a day to a friends house and went up to beautiful Lake Champlain, where we took the boat out for a terrific day on the big lake. Something about being on water that has a calming effect on me.

State of mind is better starting this week so far...this question is, can I roll with it? Hopefully roll with it better than the Red Sox have been rolling since the trade deadline...